Frequently asked Questions
Why Tan Indoors?
Outdoors we are exposed to a wide range of the sun's UV light, including the most intense rays, indoor tanning systems do NOT utilize these potentially harmful rays. This reduces your risk of ever contracting a sunburn. Tanning indoors also eliminates many environmental factors that are present outdoors, allowing us to carefully control each client's UV exposure and reduce the risk of sunburn.
The indoor tanning industry is at the forefront in educating the public about how to successfully avoid sunburn over the course of one's life. In fact, studies have consistently shown that indoor tanners, once they begin tanning in a professional salon, are up to 81 percent less likely to sunburn than they were before they started tanning indoors.
Tanning indoors is not only a safer option but a convenient one as well! You never have to worry about inclement weather; it's always sunny and warm at TANexpress! Also, with today's hectic lifestyles, tanning indoors doesn't take all day at the beach to get a tan. Depending on your skin type, a few quick sessions a week is all it takes! And of course, you get benefit of having your very own professional tanning consultants to monitor your progress and advise you on how to properly maintain your tan.
If I always sunburn outside, can I get a can indoors?
It may actually be easier for you to get the color you want (brown, not red!) by tanning indoors. To keep you from burning, TANexpress's tanning consultants will start your sessions with a short exposure time, and increase it very gradually. However, if you NEVER tan outdoors, we cannot guarantee you will get a tan from our tanning lamps.
Who regulates the indoor tanning industry?The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates sun lamps and sun lamp products including indoor tanning beds. FDA regulations require each tanning device to bear detailed consumer information about avoiding overexposure. A label on each device lists recommended exposure schedules for skin types II-V. The label also warns that certain medications or cosmetics may increase sensitivity to UV light. You can find these regulations on the FDA Website under section 1040.20 (21CFR 1040.20).
What can I expect during my first tanning session?
When you come to the salon for your first time, you will be asked to fill out a consent form. This form will provide us with information about your Skin Type, which helps determine your initial exposure time. To avoid the risk of burning, please be sure to read the form carefully and answer the questions accurately.
After deciding on a tanning package that fits your budget and schedule perfectly, your tanning consultant will show you to a tanning room and explain how to use the booth. If you have any questions at this time, just ask!
The salon's computer controls your tanning session time. Take your time to prepare for your session, undress, apply lotion and eye protection. When you're ready, simply press the blue START button on the timer panel, step into the tanning booth and close the door. Now all you have to do is relax and enjoy your session!
When your time is complete, the tanning systems shut off automatically, so there is no risk of overexposure. Our tanning consultants will want to know about your experience, and will be happy to address any other questions or concerns you have.
What should I wear during my tanning session?Some people choose to wear a swimsuit, just as they would at the beach. But, because of the privacy of indoor tanning, most tan in the nude to avoid tan lines. Any skin that has never been exposed to UV light before will be more sensitive. These parts must acquire a tan slowly, your tanning consultant may have you cut down the exposure time for these areas to 1/3 or less of the total time recommended. When you can't see any tan lines on your body at all, it's okay to expose that skin the same length of time as the rest of your body.
How long does it take to achieve a tan?
While everyone is different, most people will notice results after just a few tanning sessions, but it may take a few weeks of regular tanning (at least three times a week) to get the color you are looking for. If you want to develop a base tan before going on a sunny vacation, you will want to start tanning about three or four weeks before.
You can achieve excellent results with three or four sessions per week, and maintain your tan with two or three sessions per week. Of course, everyone tans differently, and your daily skin care regimen will affect the life of your tan.
How often can I tan?You can tan only once in a 24-hour period; pigmentation (tan) and/or erythema (sunburn) may not be fully visible for between 12-24 hours. Thus, two tanning sessions within a 24-hour period could cause an unintentional burn.
Why do I need to use FDA approved eye wear?
UV light can penetrate your eyelids and cause damage to your eyes this can lead to night blindness, color blindness, and/or cataracts. Illinois State Law requires that you show proof of FDA approved eye wear before each tanning session. ONLY FDA approved eye wear can sufficiently protect your eyes; cotton-balls, sunglasses, coins, towels or simply closing your eyes are not effective ways of protecting your eyes.
Why is it important to use a tanning lotion?
The answer is simple, indoor tanning lotions give you better results! They are also an important part of tanning responsibly and keeping your skin looking radiant and healthy.Here are just some of the reasons why tanning lotion is a must-have:
According to American Academy of Dermatology the use of tanning lotion is a must while in an indoor tanning session. TANexpress offers a wide variety of indoor tanning lotions to ensure that each of our clients finds a product that is perfect for their desired results, skin type and budget! Check out our product page for further information on the types of lotions we carry in our salons. If you don't see the brand you love, your tanning consultant can suggest an equivalent product that we do carry, or place a custom order for you.
Can I use outdoor oils and lotions in the tanning unit?No, just as the word indicates outdoor products should ONLY be used outdoors, as they can cause a film on the bulbs. This actually inhibits the tanning process, rather than acting as an amplifying agent. There are many excellent indoor tanning products for that purpose. Ask your tanning consultant for recommendations to fit your skin type and budget.
How do I keep my tan from fading?
Moisturize! Moisturize! Moisturize! Healthy skin tans faster, darker, and retains a tan longer. Drink plenty of water and make sure to keep your skin moisturized with a high quality lotion especially formulated for tanning. Your skin is constantly renewing itself. The dryer your skin is, the faster it wants to shed its top layers and bring new skin to the surface. You loose the top layers, you loose your tan. Dry layers on the surface of your skin will block the UV rays from getting to the other layers to tan them. Even with moisturizing you will still need to maintain a tanning schedule of every 4 to 5 days, or at least once a week, to keep your tan, because your skin is reproducing new cells all the time.
Can I tan if I'm pregnant?
Please consult your physician. Although we know that there is no danger from UV rays since they cannot penetrate deeper than the dermis (skin layer). Pregnant women are advised to be cautious with saunas, hot tubs and other things that can cause excessive heat to build up in the uterus. If your physician okay's your tanning, speak to your tanning consultant about which units and times of day are the coolest.
How old do I need to be to tan?
18 or older. Illinois State law changed January 1st, 2014. Proof of age via State identification is required on your first visit, we will not accept notes from home, phone calls, faxes, parents of friends or other relatives to sign for them as we cannot verify their authenticity. There is no age restriction on the UV-free VersaSpa or Mystic Tan!
Outdoors we are exposed to a wide range of the sun's UV light, including the most intense rays, indoor tanning systems do NOT utilize these potentially harmful rays. This reduces your risk of ever contracting a sunburn. Tanning indoors also eliminates many environmental factors that are present outdoors, allowing us to carefully control each client's UV exposure and reduce the risk of sunburn.
The indoor tanning industry is at the forefront in educating the public about how to successfully avoid sunburn over the course of one's life. In fact, studies have consistently shown that indoor tanners, once they begin tanning in a professional salon, are up to 81 percent less likely to sunburn than they were before they started tanning indoors.
Tanning indoors is not only a safer option but a convenient one as well! You never have to worry about inclement weather; it's always sunny and warm at TANexpress! Also, with today's hectic lifestyles, tanning indoors doesn't take all day at the beach to get a tan. Depending on your skin type, a few quick sessions a week is all it takes! And of course, you get benefit of having your very own professional tanning consultants to monitor your progress and advise you on how to properly maintain your tan.
If I always sunburn outside, can I get a can indoors?
It may actually be easier for you to get the color you want (brown, not red!) by tanning indoors. To keep you from burning, TANexpress's tanning consultants will start your sessions with a short exposure time, and increase it very gradually. However, if you NEVER tan outdoors, we cannot guarantee you will get a tan from our tanning lamps.
Who regulates the indoor tanning industry?The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates sun lamps and sun lamp products including indoor tanning beds. FDA regulations require each tanning device to bear detailed consumer information about avoiding overexposure. A label on each device lists recommended exposure schedules for skin types II-V. The label also warns that certain medications or cosmetics may increase sensitivity to UV light. You can find these regulations on the FDA Website under section 1040.20 (21CFR 1040.20).
What can I expect during my first tanning session?
When you come to the salon for your first time, you will be asked to fill out a consent form. This form will provide us with information about your Skin Type, which helps determine your initial exposure time. To avoid the risk of burning, please be sure to read the form carefully and answer the questions accurately.
After deciding on a tanning package that fits your budget and schedule perfectly, your tanning consultant will show you to a tanning room and explain how to use the booth. If you have any questions at this time, just ask!
The salon's computer controls your tanning session time. Take your time to prepare for your session, undress, apply lotion and eye protection. When you're ready, simply press the blue START button on the timer panel, step into the tanning booth and close the door. Now all you have to do is relax and enjoy your session!
When your time is complete, the tanning systems shut off automatically, so there is no risk of overexposure. Our tanning consultants will want to know about your experience, and will be happy to address any other questions or concerns you have.
What should I wear during my tanning session?Some people choose to wear a swimsuit, just as they would at the beach. But, because of the privacy of indoor tanning, most tan in the nude to avoid tan lines. Any skin that has never been exposed to UV light before will be more sensitive. These parts must acquire a tan slowly, your tanning consultant may have you cut down the exposure time for these areas to 1/3 or less of the total time recommended. When you can't see any tan lines on your body at all, it's okay to expose that skin the same length of time as the rest of your body.
How long does it take to achieve a tan?
While everyone is different, most people will notice results after just a few tanning sessions, but it may take a few weeks of regular tanning (at least three times a week) to get the color you are looking for. If you want to develop a base tan before going on a sunny vacation, you will want to start tanning about three or four weeks before.
You can achieve excellent results with three or four sessions per week, and maintain your tan with two or three sessions per week. Of course, everyone tans differently, and your daily skin care regimen will affect the life of your tan.
How often can I tan?You can tan only once in a 24-hour period; pigmentation (tan) and/or erythema (sunburn) may not be fully visible for between 12-24 hours. Thus, two tanning sessions within a 24-hour period could cause an unintentional burn.
Why do I need to use FDA approved eye wear?
UV light can penetrate your eyelids and cause damage to your eyes this can lead to night blindness, color blindness, and/or cataracts. Illinois State Law requires that you show proof of FDA approved eye wear before each tanning session. ONLY FDA approved eye wear can sufficiently protect your eyes; cotton-balls, sunglasses, coins, towels or simply closing your eyes are not effective ways of protecting your eyes.
Why is it important to use a tanning lotion?
The answer is simple, indoor tanning lotions give you better results! They are also an important part of tanning responsibly and keeping your skin looking radiant and healthy.Here are just some of the reasons why tanning lotion is a must-have:
- Moist skin tans faster and more efficiently, resulting in a darker tan in fewer visits.
- Tanning lotions allow for better magnification, giving you maximum results.
- Moisturized skin readily absorbs UV light, while dry skin reflects it.
- UV exposure can dehydrate your skin, and tanning lotions help to replenish moisture lost during your tanning session.
- Tanning lotions provide your skin with key skin care ingredients, such as antioxidants and vitamins, to prevent the signs of aging.
- Tanning lotions also help you to get up to 40% darker and lock in the color of your tan so that it will last longer.
According to American Academy of Dermatology the use of tanning lotion is a must while in an indoor tanning session. TANexpress offers a wide variety of indoor tanning lotions to ensure that each of our clients finds a product that is perfect for their desired results, skin type and budget! Check out our product page for further information on the types of lotions we carry in our salons. If you don't see the brand you love, your tanning consultant can suggest an equivalent product that we do carry, or place a custom order for you.
Can I use outdoor oils and lotions in the tanning unit?No, just as the word indicates outdoor products should ONLY be used outdoors, as they can cause a film on the bulbs. This actually inhibits the tanning process, rather than acting as an amplifying agent. There are many excellent indoor tanning products for that purpose. Ask your tanning consultant for recommendations to fit your skin type and budget.
How do I keep my tan from fading?
Moisturize! Moisturize! Moisturize! Healthy skin tans faster, darker, and retains a tan longer. Drink plenty of water and make sure to keep your skin moisturized with a high quality lotion especially formulated for tanning. Your skin is constantly renewing itself. The dryer your skin is, the faster it wants to shed its top layers and bring new skin to the surface. You loose the top layers, you loose your tan. Dry layers on the surface of your skin will block the UV rays from getting to the other layers to tan them. Even with moisturizing you will still need to maintain a tanning schedule of every 4 to 5 days, or at least once a week, to keep your tan, because your skin is reproducing new cells all the time.
Can I tan if I'm pregnant?
Please consult your physician. Although we know that there is no danger from UV rays since they cannot penetrate deeper than the dermis (skin layer). Pregnant women are advised to be cautious with saunas, hot tubs and other things that can cause excessive heat to build up in the uterus. If your physician okay's your tanning, speak to your tanning consultant about which units and times of day are the coolest.
How old do I need to be to tan?
18 or older. Illinois State law changed January 1st, 2014. Proof of age via State identification is required on your first visit, we will not accept notes from home, phone calls, faxes, parents of friends or other relatives to sign for them as we cannot verify their authenticity. There is no age restriction on the UV-free VersaSpa or Mystic Tan!